Chapter 1

Julian Vance was forced to marry me when I was eighteen.

He was miserable; I was thrilled.

I knew that to Julian, it didn’t matter who he married. I was just a pawn to satisfy his family's demands.

I foolishly believed that over time, he would get used to me, and eventually, love me.

I never expected that both he and our son would view me as an embarrassment—someone who could never compare to his gorgeous childhood sweetheart, Scarlett Ross.

Heartbroken and exhausted, I finally handed him the divorce papers.

Yet, he gripped my chin, his eyes wild with desperation. "Chloe, I’m begging you. Give Leo and me one more chance, please?"

After I slipped the divorce papers across the table, the study fell into a suffocating silence.

Julian frowned, staring at me as if trying to spot a lie. "All because I didn't let you pick up Leo from school?"

"Chloe, there’s no need to play the victim over such trivial things. We have nannies for that."

He stood up, walking around the desk to hug me. "Work has been crazy lately. Stop making a scene, okay?"

I looked at his lazy, dismissive comfort and took a step back.

"Once you sign those papers," I said, my voice deadpan, "you won’t have to worry about 'scenes' or an embarrassing wife anymore."

"Julian, this is a win-win for both of us."

Seven years of love, warmth, and desperate trying meant absolutely nothing to him.

Whether it was a carefully planned birthday gift or simply wanting to drive our son to school, it was all just a "scene" to him.

Even my son, Leo, kept his distance from me.

“Mom, I’m five now. Stop trying to baby me with theme parks and cartoons.”

“What brand is this bracelet you bought me? Which designer made it? ...None? Then I don’t want it. It’s embarrassing to wear at school.”

Children are brutally honest.

Their words cut the deepest, effortless in their cruelty.

A few days ago, I walked past the study and overheard Julian talking to Leo.

Leo asked, “Dad, can Scarlett take me to Disneyland this weekend?”

The reply wasn't Julian's voice, but a soft, sweet feminine one.

“Aren’t you sweet? But we have to see if your daddy says yes first.”

“Dad loves you the most, Scarlett! If you ask, he’ll definitely let me go!”

Standing in the hallway, my hands went ice-cold.

It wasn't that Leo hated theme parks or childish things.

He just hated doing them with me. Just like his father.

At that moment, the massive mansion felt so cold and empty that I could barely breathe.

I couldn’t force myself to do this anymore.

I was done trying to make them love me.

Julian stared at me for a long time, finally realizing I wasn’t bluffing.

"Chloe, think carefully. Once you sign this, there are plenty of women waiting to take your place. You will walk away with nothing."

I smiled. "Don’t test me, Julian. I’m not playing the martyr. I’m not leaving empty-handed."

"The asset division is clearly written. Think of it as my compensation for the last seven years."

Julian went quiet.

He slowly nodded. "Fine. Don't regret this."

He signed the papers with sharp, aggressive strokes.

The scratching sound of the pen ended abruptly.

Julian tossed the pen onto the desk. "I’m not a monster. I’ll double whatever assets you asked for."

I didn’t refuse. Money is money, and I deserved every penny.

I carefully folded the papers and walked out of the study.

Behind me, Julian suddenly called out, "I want the truth. Why now?"

My hand rested on the doorknob. For a second, I couldn't find the words.

"Because I'm tired."

I shut the door, cutting off his heavy gaze.

I went back to my room to pack.

Ever since Leo turned five, Julian and I had been sleeping in separate rooms.

I didn't have much. Everything I owned fit into a single twenty-two-inch suitcase.

Seven years in this house, and this was all I had to show for it.

I looked around the room.

In the cabinet sat Leo’s birthday present from this year—still in its box.

On the desk was a half-knitted scarf.

Both Julian and Leo caught colds easily in the winter, yet they always forgot their scarves and gloves.

Whenever I tried to remind Julian, he would impatiently snap that the maids would handle it.

And Leo would just stand far away, giving me a look of pure annoyance before walking off.

But I hadn't missed the sheer disappointment and shame in my son's eyes.

I shook my head, forcing myself to stop thinking about them.

As I reached the stairs, a woman in a designer dress was walking up, holding Leo’s hand.

Scarlett Ross.

The "Scarlett" Leo adored.

And Julian's first love—the one that got away before I married him.